Recently, there have been quite a few posts popping up on social media about the new live-action Little Mermaid movie set to release sometime in the next few years. This movie is getting a lot of media coverage due to Disney’s decision to cast 19-year-old Halle Bailey as the main character, Ariel. Listen to Andrew and Kassy discuss the issue in this week’s episode of Simplified Speech.









Fun facts
The Little Mermaid movie made by Disney is roughly based on the Danish fairy tale written by Hans Christian Andersen. The Little Mermaid was an amazing success and kicked off the renaissance of Disney’s children’s films, with successful movies such as Aladdin, Mulan, and Beauty and the Beast quickly following.


Expressions included in the study guide



* On the right page/same page
* Bubbly
* Zero problem
* To get one’s nose bent out of shape
* Hater
* To cross one’s fingers



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For more information about this episode and how we can help you improve your English, visit culips.com. Become a member and download the study guide for this episode.  The study guide is going to have lots of great information and exercises. So check that out.
Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free, Step On by Jahzzar

Simplified Speech #065 – Little Mermaid controversy

Culips English Podcast: Practical English Learning Made Fun  Learn and Explore: Join Culips for an exciting English learning journey. Our podcast focuses on teaching English idioms, slang, and phrasal verbs through fun and engaging conversations. Each episode helps you master English for real-life situations.  Unique Learning Experience: Culips stands out by blending language skills with cultural insights. Our diverse hosts make learning relatable, covering a variety of everyday topics. You’ll pick up practical language skills and gain cultural understanding, enhancing your English fluency in an enjoyable way.  Your Path to Fluency: As your ideal learning partner, Culips provides easy-to-understand lessons on daily English usage. Learn from native speakers and immerse in different cultures, making your English learning journey rewarding and effective.

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In this episode, Andrew talks about running a trail race in Jangsu, a small village in South Korea. He describes the challenges of running on mountain paths, the beautiful scenery he saw, and the great feeling of finishing the race. As you listen to Andrew's story, you'll learn new vocabulary about running, nature, and facing difficulties. You'll also improve your listening skills and ability to understand a story in English. 

 	* Study with the interactive transcript:
 	* Join the Culips Discord server:
 	* Get the comprehension quiz:









Bonus episode #099 – Trail talk

Episode description:

In this episode, Andrew and Anna discuss the concept of digital modesty – the idea of being mindful about how much personal information you share online. They explore the benefits and drawbacks of sharing on social media and the importance of setting boundaries to protect your privacy.

What you'll learn in this episode:

 	* The meaning of digital modesty and why it's an important topic
 	* Different perspectives on sharing personal information online
 	* The potential risks of oversharing on social media
 	* The importance of setting personal boundaries and limits for online sharing
 	* How cultural differences can influence what is considered modest or acceptable to share









How this episode will improve your English:

 	* Expand your vocabulary with words and phrases related to online behavior and social media, such as: digital modesty, non-negotiables,off-putting, oversharing, and boundaries.
 	* Improve your listening comprehension by following a natural, unscripted conversation between native English speakers.
 	* Learn idiomatic expressions like strike a chord and play devil's advocate.
 	* Gain insight into cultural differences and how they can impact online behavior
 	* Improve your speaking and communication skills by using the study guide and connecting with the member community to practice speaking about digital modesty in English.

The best way to learn with this lesson:

Culips members get an interactive transcript, helpful study guide, and ad-free audio for this episode. Take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips member.

Become a Culips member now: Click here.

Members can access the ad-free version here: Click here.

Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join.

Episode references:

 	* Mary Harrington interviewed on the Modern Wisdom podcast: Click here.
 	* The geography game Andrew mentioned, GeoGuesser: Click here.
 	* The story of the missing van lifer: Click here.


Copyright: Culips.com
For more information about this episode, visit culips.com.
Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free
Image: Kaique Rocha (pexels.com)

Chatterbox #318 – Digital modesty

In this episode, Andrew shares a simple yet powerful change he made to his daily routine that has left him feeling more rested, productive, and less stressed. He explains how keeping his phone away from his bed at night and reading a book first thing in the morning has made a big difference to his well-being. Andrew also talks about the Korean book he's currently reading and the inspiring journey of its translator.

This episode will help improve your English communication skills in several ways:

 	* You'll get great practice listening to and understanding natural, conversational English as Andrew shares a personal story.
 	* You'll learn useful vocabulary related to daily routines, reading habits, sleep, productivity, and language learning.
 	* By listening to Andrew’s story, you'll build your ability to understand spoken English and grasp main ideas.
 	* The topic of making positive changes might inspire you to think about your own habits and discuss them with others in English.


 	* Study with the interactive transcript:
 	* Join the Culips Discord server:
 	* Try the comprehension quiz:









Bonus episode #098 – Lifestyle change

Episode description:

Join Andrew and Kassy as they talk about their upcoming milestone birthdays. Kassy is turning 30, and Andrew is turning 40! They'll chat about their favorite ways to celebrate birthdays, common birthday traditions in the United States and Canada, and the customary foods enjoyed on birthdays in South Korea. This episode is perfect for English learners who want to improve their listening skills and expand their cultural knowledge.

What you will learn:

 	* Birthday celebrations: Discover how people in North America typically celebrate their birthdays.
 	* Cultural traditions: Learn about birthday customs and traditions in the United States, Canada, and South Korea.
 	* Personal experiences: Hear Andrew and Kassy share their own birthday memories and preferences.

Milestone birthdays: Understand the significance of turning 30 and 40 in Western culture.








How this episode will improve your English:

 	* Vocabulary building: Learn essential words and phrases related to birthdays and celebrations.
 	* Listening skills: Improve your ability to understand native English speakers in a natural, conversational setting.
 	* Cultural awareness: Gain insights into birthday celebrations and traditions in different countries.
 	* Relatable content: Connect with the hosts' personal stories and experiences, which can help you retain the language more effectively.
 	* Speaking practice: Use the study guide and connect with the member community to practice discussing birthday-related topics in English.

The best way to learn with this lesson:

Culips members get an interactive transcript, helpful study guide, and ad-free audio for this episode. Take your English to the next level by becoming a Culips member.

Become a Culips member now: Click here.

Members can access the ad-free version here: Click here.

Join our Discord community to connect with other learners and get more English practice. Click here to join. 

Copyright: Culips.com
For more information about this episode, visit culips.com.
Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke for Free
Image: Thirdman (pexels.com)

Simplified Speech #194 – Double birthday bash

In this episode, Andrew shares about his experience binge-watching the new Netflix sci-fi series "The Three-Body Problem." He discusses the show's interesting premise, engaging storyline, and characters. By listening to this episode, you'll learn vocabulary related to TV shows, books, and the phenomenon of binge-watching.

This episode will help improve your English communication skills in several ways:

 	* You'll hear natural, casual English spoken at a conversational pace as Andrew discusses the show's premise, characters, and his overall impressions.
 	* You'll expand your vocabulary with words and phrases related to TV/movie plots, acting, adaptations from books, and giving opinions.
 	* By listening to Andrew's story, you'll get practice understanding spoken English and comprehending someone's thoughts and viewpoints.
 	* The topic of a popular sci-fi series provides cultural insight into this entertainment genre loved by many English speakers.

Study with the interactive transcript: click here

Join the Culips Discord server:

Become a Culips member:








Simplified Speech #065 – Little Mermaid controversy

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